Michael Whelan

The partner of a Kettering man who died when he was struck by a lorry while on his way home from laying flowers for tragic youngster Dylan Cecil has paid tribute to his loving and fun nature.

Pete Thurlow, who would have been 43 on Tuesday, died when he was struck by a lorry on the M5 in Somerset in the early hours of last Wednesday morning (April 30).

His partner Lisa Hawthorn, who Mr Thurlow affectionately referred to as Bradders, told the Telegraph this week that she and her two daughters Ali, 18, and Toni, 14 – who Mr Thurlow was very close to – had been devastated by his death.

She added: “Myself and Pete were childhood sweethearts when we were teenagers but we met again by chance in a pub about two and-a-half years ago after I split up with my husband.

“Pete was really popular and loved having a good time, he’d often tell me to get my dancing shoes on and we’d go out.”

Mr Thurlow was a fan of motorbike racing and regularly travelled to Cadwell Park circuit in Lincolnshire. He was a mobile mechanic and often visited Jaspers Bar in Kettering for breakfast before work.

Lisa said: “He’d ring the landlady and tell her he was on his way.”

Lisa thanked the hundreds of well-wishers who have sent messages of support.

Mr Thurlow had travelled to Burnham-On-Sea with Lisa and the parents of Dylan Cecil, who drowned there two years ago, to lay flowers on what would have been Dylan’s sixth birthday.

Lisa is Dylan’s auntie and said Mr Thurlow was referred to as ‘Uncle Pete’. He took part in many fundraising events in memory of the youngster.

Mr Thurlow also leaves behind older brothers John and Tor and parents Liv and Arthur. His older sister Karen died about five years ago.